studio AIR

ABPL30048/ 2016/ SM1SHIXIAN LU#792924

introduction

Hailing from the little red dot of Singapore, i have a great pas-sion for design. I like drawing on eveything and anything and often doodle on a old canvas shoe or a styrofoam cup.

Growing up, i was always in awe of huge buildings and their majesty as they invoke a special feeling in me. I did interior architecture back in Temasek Polytechnic and just started uni-versity a few weeks ago. Going into year 3 without much prior knowledge to architecture is overwhelming and although it is all new, i’m hoping to get the best out of it and also experience melbourne’s architectural culture. Choosing melbourne was a getaway from the concrete jungle in Singapore and i got to see a lot of beautiful architecture that are monumental and classic.

I am fresh to the concept of parametricism but find it really in-teresting as it is a progressive technology that is breaking away from conventional traditional arhchitecture. Architecture to me is more than just rigid buildings in heavy materials. I appreci-ate and love ancient arhitecture but at the same time admire the idea of architecture that is able to go wild with ideas.

past works

PREVIOUS WORKS

contents

A.1 Design Futuring

A.4Conclusion

04 Cliff House05,06 Google Campus

13

01

A.2Design Computation

A.3Composition/ Generation

A.5Learning outcome

A.6Algorithmic Sketches

07 V&A Museum08 Metal 3D Printing09-10 ICD Aggregate

11 Numen/ for use swap staircase12 Landscape house

02

13 14-18

103

part Aconceptualisation

A.1 Architecture as a discourse/ Design Futuring

Design Director: Roland Snooks

A speculative project in collaboration with the Mitchell Lab (@ Texas A&M), Directed by Gabriel Esquivel.

A collaboration between Kokkugia and the Mitchell Lab at Texas A&M, The Cliff House may come off bizarre as a project for living space. However, the unique methodology set into creating this experiment conceals design intent within individual elements, allowing the local scale to be reduced to a sub-material level.To test the endurance of composite fabrication, cliff site was chosen to resist the high wind and static loads. It is an ambiguity as to whether this project would be structurally stable but it sets us thinking about the exploration of agent-based behavioural design methodolo-gies performing across various scales of form, structure, and composite fiber. This experi-ment sparks a debate about composite fiber construction and its structural optimization. Adopting this material is a negotiation

Future designs are looking into fusing built projects into the environments – a platform that this design excelled in. This exploits the translucency of the composite material, revealing the embedded networks and emergent hierarchies of structural strands. ‘The composite skin registers the ripples of bifurcating and converging strands that blur the dis-tinction between structure and ornament.’1 These strands connect to the cliff for structural necessity and also from the inclination to extend a flow of shape and blurring the edges of the object – a strategy for diffusing the object into its environment and making it seem like it grew through the existing cracks in the rocks. Incoporating these unique materials will expand future possibilities for parametrical and different approaches to the world of architecture.

1 Kokkugia.com/cliff-house

Images: Clifff HouseSource: Kokkugia

Cliff House, Nevada, USA,

04

A.1 Design Futuring

Google North Bayshore has a concept of creating light-weight block-like structures that are portable, instead of going for permanent buildings. According to Google, this will offer flexibility as the company invests in new product areas.

This project drawn me in because of the ingenious use of build material and continuity of form which integrates the environment and the working space beautifully. In the complex, there is almost like an artificial sky whichis made out of four glass canopies and this enables Google to create its own microclimate. The office also do not require stairs to maneuver to another level. Modularity is also key in the design of this space as rooms are stack-able and movable. This conception screams sustainability - which comes back to the context of future designs we will advance towards in years to come.

With major climatatic events happening around the world, we are confronting our nemesis - a defuturing condition of unsustainability.

In Design Futuring, Fry states ‘Nature alone cannot sustain us: we are too many, we have done too much ecological damage, and we have become too dependent upon the artificial word we have designed, fabricated and occupied.’1

Therefore, the future in arhitecture are largely based on sustainable design and

1 Fry, Tony (2008). Design Futuring

Image: Google’s Californis HQSource: Dezeen

05

2Google CampusMountain View, California

The thinking behind this project will go through in the future and this is what keeps Google office one of the most forward-thinking companies. We should nop longer go along with visionary designers of the past. “We live in a very different world now but we can reconnectwith that spirit and develop new methods appropriate for today’s world and once again begin to dream.”1

Buildings will see themself exposing more to the outside world, unlike traditional closed buildings and energy saving designs like introducing sunlight and greenery into working/living spaces so it does not feel like an enclosed space. It is, however a question of how well the designs can incoprate the environment without offend-ing it.

1 Dunne, Anthony & Raby, Fiona (2013)

‘Translucent canopies will cover buildings and outdoor areas, de-signed to control the climate whilst also allowing natural daylight and ventilation throughout the facility.’1

1 Google Campus, Dezeen.com

bringing the outside, inside.

06

“Built entirely from robotically produced fibrous systems, the pavilion will intensify the visitor’s experience of the V&A’s garden by providing a

differentiated and evolving space.”1

1 Dezeen.com, V%A Museum

The V&A Musuem courtyard spans a web-like structured canopy which is digitally constructed and intricately designed. Computing technpology allowed for this robot-fabricated pavillion which is inspired by the harderned forewings of flying beetles. The intricate filment canopy is also an architectural envelope, load bearing structure and environmental filler. With the different materials we can explore to acheive various gemoetries, it also allow us to better understand the qualities of new materials and ex-plore innovative ways of structuring. Due to the nature of fibrous material, the canopy will extend and transform over time. The sparse form intensifies the visitor’s experi-ence while providing a differentiated and evolving space.

A.2 Design Computation

There is an array of possibilities with regards to geometric forms and with the employ-ment of computation, conception of designs are more effective and less time-consum-ing.

The design process for this project relies heavily on computing to create the organic form that spans across the top. Because computerised design technology employs mathematical principles to evaluate possibilities, we are reliant on ideologies con-ceived, built, run or facilitated by the many regulations of contemporary engineering.

07

“I think the combination of robotic con-struction and 3D printing is the future of the building industry.’

“I think the combination of robotic construc-tion and 3D printing is the future of the build-ing industry,”1

The above statement predicts the incoming change in the field of architecture. Precedent architecture has followed by stan-dard rules that contibuted to building styles with a rigid feel and the rule of gothic. Although modern architecture has their rules as well, the innovation of softwares accomo-dated the possibilities of reinforced concrete, curtain walls and all these are galvanized through developments and advancements of arhitecture history.

Forward-thinking innovative companies are coming up with 3D printed products. Because computational design is cutomizable, it allows users to design their own products and speci-fying their dimensions. These system offers advantages over conventional manufactur-ing process as 3D prints support themselves throughout the printing. With all these combined convenience they bring to the desgin industry, Computational design will continue a critical mechanic and the impact they can have will be anyting but small.

1 mfgtalkradio.comImage (left page) : Deseen.com

Images (closckwise from top left): businessinsider.com.au / radicalhub.com / blog.craftu-nique.com / digitalmeetsculture.net

08

3d printed forms

With the influx of technology, design in architecture is now largely com-putational. This has largely affected the design proess as we can produce structures that are highly complex and detailed. However, we should not let computation take over our design, with reference from Lawson Bryan, CAD might conspire against creativity thought {...} by encouraging fake creativity. 1

The design democracy now is being driven by a growing mass of free or cheap software, which is incresingly allowing anyoneto practise as a designer although only often at a superficial level. Softwares are purely there to emu-late paper-based productions. According to Fry, current desginers are too involved in design of style and appearance, not taking consequence of their design. Design might be using a different tool set in 10 years, and we will see a renaissance of applications making the design and build process more powerful and efficient.

One example of computational design is the ICD Aggregate Pavilion.Researchers and students from the University of Stuttgart used 30,000 spiky components and a robot to create a pavilion described as the “first architec-tural structure realised with a designed granular system” (+ movie).

1 (1999) Fake and Real Creativity using Computer Aided Design.

A.2 Design Computation

09

‘Robot uses stacked spiky particles to build groundbreaking ICD Aggregate Pavilion

Created by stacking synthetic particles, the exhibi-tion is a representation of how computorised design has affected the look and time taken to assemble the structures we design. Without computation, the experiment would have taken an unreason-able amount of time to create compared to it being generated by a software. Because it is simple to switch around the parameters and change up the look, it gives designers abundant options to acheive a performance-oriented design.

Other than making use of technology, the project also takes account into sustainability as the particles are made up of recycled plastic.

The system, Distinct-Element Modelling (DEM) simulations were employed to help analyse the overall structural performance of systems involv-ing numerous individual elements. giving the product a unique geometry and atmosphere to the architecture and to the space. Most often than not they blend in easier with the natural environments which differs from preceding architectures being orthogonal and straight.

10

Distinct-Element Modelling (DEM) simulations

A total of 30,000 particles were stacked to form a series of towers positioned on concrete plinths.

A.3 Composition/ Generation

Computation also has the power to provide inspiration and exceed the intellect of the designer, like other techniques of architectural design, but generating unex-pected results as depicted by the exhibition.

The undulating and canyon-like aisle creates a unique user experience to the people using the space. The form, acting as supplementary staircase in the exhibi-tion space at the OK center for contemporary art, is an inhabitable and climbable social sculpture made of intricately interwoven mesh. As the activities increase, the installation becomes alive and shifts with the human movement.

Computation has allowed designers to extend their abilities to handle complex structures, and computerisation has increased the precision of drawings. 1Production of conceptual changes is sped up which greatly affected the way we work. Moving on from all these technology, archi-tects use the information they gathered through these softwares into an understood model is termed as an algorithm. An algorithm, being an intensional definition of a computable function, describes how it is com-puted. It is made up of a list of basic The structure is thereafter generated according to this algorithm.

Algorithmic thinking sets the designers carrying on an interpretive role od deciphering the end code and modify it to experiment new options and future design potentials.

1Computation Works by John Wiley & Son

hanging in the interlaced material

Images: Designboomvisitors must meander through a narrow path of mesh material

11Numen/ for use swap staircase for an interwoven net pathway

3Constructing a house with a 3d printer

The advancement in technology gave computational designers their design tools, but their expertise go way beyond as they come up with concepts that further challenges the real definition of generating through comutation. Example of this approach is a two-storey house ‘Landscape House’, printed in concrete. It is formulated using the D-Shape printer which creates hollow volumes to contain fibre-reinforced concrete for structural strength. Therafter, the volumes will fuse to create the building. With its advancing simulation potentials, the computer allows architects pre-dict, model and simulate the confrontation of architecture and the public us-ing more accurate and sophisticated methods. In this way, computation makes possible not only the simulation and communication of the constructional aspects of a building, but also the involvement and genesis of meaning.

This revolutionary approach to construction will take architectural design to another level as manufacturing process cuts down on time and manpower. What we can expect in the future or even stating now are emerging models of hybrid software engineers/architects. Empowered by approaches in script-ing interfaces and expertise of computer programming, these designers are actively generating their own design software.1 Architecture will have a whole new look and feel in years to come.

1 Peters, Brady. (2013) ‘Computation Works: The Building of Algorithmic Thought

3d-printed-house-interviewIamges: Dezeen

12

45

A.4 Conclusion

The use of computation in the design world has definitly changed the way we work drasti-cally. Parametricism gave a whole new approach to architecture, breaking away from the conventional straight and rigid buildings. My design approach would like to incoprate

parametricism as its form adds value to create sustainable structures and structures that blend in with the natural environment. The materials used for creating these type of

structures can be innovative and with the help of computation, it will be individual. As researched previously about how we will be designing in the future, sustainabiliity is key and parametric designs hold a significance in contributing to thatbecause of its flexibility to create a form with numerous types of materials. That way the environment do not get

affected and we have ourselves spaces that are integrated with nature.

A.5Learning Outcomes

By exploring computational design softwares, I could attain a better understanding of fluid struc-tures and how they connect and follow a probability districtution based on a fixed set of param-eters. There is a need for balance between the digital in architecture and the generative form of design. The introduction of these tools will contribute greatly to how we generate facades and with the influx of technology, it adds on to a significant part in the world of architecture.

I have previously used 3d max and sketchup which although helpful, couldn’t get me a series of forms easily. My past designs could have been improved by my new knowlege from generaing them into different forms and exploring more before putting down my design. I recognise and believe this software has the power to influence how we design and generate ideas and allow us to create efficient and more innovative structures in this fast-paced wrold.

13

Algorithimic Sketches

146Algorithimic Sketches

A.6Algorithmic Explorations

The exploration of natural form similar to Biothing Seriouss Pavil-lion. Genrated by the self-modifying patterns of vector fields based on behaviors of electro-magnetic fields (EMF) I also exploited the

number slider on grasshopper to create a series of movement.

15

16

17

A.6Algorithmic Explorations

box morph

18

This model is created by stacking a curvy form and twisting it to form a loft. Box morph is then applied and experimented with cone shape and tube shape.

Metal 3D Printing http://mfgtalkradio.com/metal-3d-printing-continues-to-move-forward/

Dezeen, Robot-built pavilion proposed by Achim Menges for V&A museum courtyard (4th February 2016) http://www.dezeen.com/2016/02/04/achim-menges-elytra-filament-pavilion-robot-built-victoria-albert-museum-london-engineering-season/

3D Printed House (2013) http://www.dezeen.com/2013/01/24/3d-printed-house-interview/

Numen/for use swap staircase for an interwoven net pathway http://www.designboom.com/art/numenfor-use-net-linz-ok-haus-09-29-2014/

Readings1. Fry, Tony (2008). Design Futuring: Sustainability, Ethics and New Practice (Oxford: Berg)

2. Dunne, Anthony & Raby, Fiona (2013) Speculative Everything: Design Fiction, and Social Dreaming (MIT Press)

3. Oxman, Rivka and Robert Oxman, eds (2014). Theories of the Digital in Architecture (London; New York: Rout-ledge)

4. Peters, Brady. (2013) ‘Computation Works: The Building of Algorithmic Thought’, Architectural Design

5. Woodbury, Robert F. (2014). ‘How Designers Use Parameters’, in Theories of the Digital in Architecture, ed. by Rivka Oxman and Robert Oxman (London; New York: Routledge)

ArticlesGoogle’s new office complex will have an artificial sky and no stairs or walls; http://metro.co.uk/2015/05/11/googles-new-office-complex-will-have-an-artificial-sky-and-no-stairs-or-walls-5191153/#ixzz439csEx99

Metal 3D Printing Continues To Move Forward; http://mfgtalkradio.com/metal-3d-printing-continues-to-move-forward/

Kalay, Yehuda E. (2004). Architecture’s New Media: Principles, Theories, and Methods of Computer-Aided Design (Cambridge, MA: MIT Press)

Issa, Rajaa ‘Essential Mathematics for Computational Design’, Second Edition, Robert McNeel and associates

references